bionic_one
3/23/2010 7:25:00 AMThe fish ate the worms and the worms were in their guts, or the worms were eating the fish from the inside out?
flyfisherguy
3/23/2010 9:44:00 AMMost likely a parasite that plagues trout in many lakes throughout the Pacific NW. I've seen them in Merrill Lake brown trout, which is why I never keep any of these fish. They are rather disgusting in appearance, although I believe that if you thoroughly cook your fish there is no problem with these parasites as it will kill them. But still, it doesn't exactly make for an appetizing menu item!
Sammy
3/23/2010 12:27:00 PMThis has been going on in Riffe for several years now. We contacted the WDFW and they say they are safe to eat. If you want to. We just let em go. Thanks for the report!
gas-n-bass
3/23/2010 4:38:00 PMThanks for the replies. Had I known about the worms, I would have let them go. Too bad, too... the meat was a beautiful color, but couldn't stomach knowing all those creepy-crawlies living in the fish. They were in the 12-14" range, fishing about 12 feet below a slip bobber with worms (nightcrawlers - hehe) and salad shrimp.
panfisher
3/24/2010 7:53:00 PMyou would stop eating fish all together if you only knew what parasites are on/in the fish you catch. (they are in the gut not the meat)
willial13
3/24/2010 8:10:00 PMHello, virtually all fish have parasites, have you ever looked at the intestines of a halibut? They eat fine, just no sushimi, from the abdominal cavity. Larry
flyfisherguy
3/25/2010 10:33:00 AMpanfisher actually the parasites that gas-n-bass is referring to IS in the meat unfortunately. I fileted a brown trout from Merrill Lake once....just once! The wormlike parasites that came crawling out of the flesh really grossed me out, convinced me that catch and release was the way to go on this lake. But I agree, most fish do have parasites, not much chance of avoiding them. That's why I always cook my fish thoroughly.
fishtremble
3/27/2010 2:55:00 PMI have not seen any worms in the meat, just in the guts, myself. We just cook them up good, as pointed out above.
mdozer1971
5/1/2010 6:42:00 PMWe have fished the lake in the past and this year I think the worms ar worse. The cavity is full of these noodle like worms.
Sad, the Kokanee are yummy fish. Summet, and wards lake Kokanee do not have these parasites that I have ever seen.
Sad, the Kokanee are yummy fish. Summet, and wards lake Kokanee do not have these parasites that I have ever seen.